Channel Compressor

Eisen Audio contributed circuit design, prototyping, and helped set up the manufacturing process for Awesome Transistor Amplifier Company’s Channel Compressor module. This device uses a JFET-controlled amplifier to achieve dynamic control, surrounded by four other purpose-designed discrete transistor amplifier stages. Only the LED meter circuit is monolithic (an array of comparator ICs), because this section makes no sound (zero audible effect) and a discrete meter driver would’ve added unnecessary expense for our customers. Of particular note is an 11-transistor op amp that Jens designed for the sidechain, which has DC accuracy comparable to a uA741, such that it won’t contribute appreciable offset when used as a precision rectifier or difference amplifier.